What all Seniors Should Know About Selling Their Home

You’re retired, the kids have been gone for several years and now occasionally the grandkids come and visit. But, those stairs are getting more tricky every day and the narrow holes and inconvenient bathrooms are more than a hassle, they could be a hazard. Yes, it may be time to sell the house.

This doesn’t mean that your entire way of life needs to be interrupted per se, but maybe a more convenient layout or environment would be more helpful. Perhaps a one-story home without a lot of stairs, wider hallways, a more secure neighborhood, perhaps even a vibrant social calendar. There are many great options for adult communities and more accessible homes throughout South Nashville. But, regardless of where you’re going, the first step is how to sell.

The first thing I would suggest is to seek specialized real estate assistance.

It’s important to find a real estate agent that is knowledgeable about the special needs of seniors. Because we worked with seniors for decades, we are very familiar with communication, the type of home you need to look into buying, and how to stage a home to sell without stressing you out.

We work with people from all walks of life and we let you be as involved or hands-off as you want. Some sellers simply want to be told what to do and they’ll do it while others need detailed steps about the process and want to be as involved as possible.

In today’s volatile market, it’s natural to be unsure of your home’s current value. If you lived in your home for several years or several decades, understanding home values today might seem confusing and overwhelming. We don’t want this process to be confusing to you. Because we work with both buyers and sellers we can help you find a price range that’s comfortable for you, your needs, and your future budget.

Advantages and Disadvantages to Buying and Selling

As a senior homeowner, it’s important to be aware of the pitfalls and incentives associated with buying and selling a home at this point in life. Not only do we recommend finding a qualified and experienced agent but speak to your financial advisor about any consequences and repercussions from this transaction. Things like pensions, IRA accounts, Medicare and Medicaid, Social Security, and estate planning can be impacted by this real estate sale. If you plan on buying a home in a retirement community, there may be eligible amenities such as reduced upfront fees and closing cost assistance.

Again, one of the first steps is to simply contact our office and ask any questions you might have about the home selling and buying process. We help you prepare your home, offer resources for cleaning and staging, do the research necessary for comparable sales in your area and price your home correctly from the beginning. We don’t want this to be a stressful time so by being upfront and honest throughout the process and explaining what will happen during the transaction, makes you feel more comfortable and fully aware of what’s about to take place.

If you’re planning on selling your home anywhere in the South Nashville area feel free to give our office a call at 615-310-2496. Because we work with seniors for seniors, we can help this process be the easiest and smooth transition available.